Haunting Questions relating to the WTC on 9-11

Why were the fires still that hot, 5 days later. Why did the twin towers seem to fall at the speed of gravity in their own footprints as if it were a controlled demolition? Why was WT-7 "pulled" and also seem to fall at the speed of gravity in its own footprint with no great amount of damage? How could there have been explosives and/or thermite planted before 9-11 if it was a "surprise attack"? George W. Bush and Co. had little support for their agenda before 9-11. Did they write themselves a blank check? Did the conspirators get greedy by also downing WT-7 in such a questionable way raising so many questions of experts?

* * * *

Bush Administration Insider Says U.S. Government Behind 9/11

9-11 is a sympton of an administration out of control. Citizen abuse is evident below in the Culture of Corruption. George W. Bush and other official criminals need to face arrest, prosectution, and prison.

The Connecticut and Republican Culture of Corruption caused me to be run out of these formerly boarded up properties after I had made luxury apartments out of them:

I testify in front of the Connecticut Judiciary Reform Commission:

Kristine Blake of the Connecticut Department of Retardation (DMR)is a whistleblower. If she had not had her passport proving she was out of the country when false allegations for retaliation were made. The other DMR employees and Manchester Connecticut Police were not punished for their part in the retaliation, abuse, and obstruction of justice. This is how Official Connecticut operates across the board. Kathleen Blake video:

Stephen Murzin saw Phil Inkel being beaten by police at a Colchester Connecticut McDonald's Hamburger restaurant. Phil Inkel had seen a teen in baggy pants being beaten by the same officers for the teen's choice of clothing. Stephen Murzin and his younger brother Ian were snatched in the middle of the night at their father's and mother's home. Richard Murzin is a former Hartford Connecticut Narcotics detective telling us that no one is safe, especially in Connecticut. Make a complaint of Police Misconduct and maybe the Connecticut State Police will come to your house in the middle of the night to falsely arrest you and beat you at the station:

Mary Alice Cook tells how Connecticut police help her husband beat her and then arrest her. An individual with expertise describes how hundreds, if not thousands of complaints regarding Connecticut police officers raping, robbing, beating, and even murdering citizens goes un-investigated:

Ritt Goldstein, in above video, proposed Civilian Oversight of Police to Connecticut elected officials. He was so terrorized by Connecticut Police he sought political asylum in Sweden. That says it all. We need our US Constitution and Freedom back. We need all of our American Rights restored.

A judge is threatening to jail the head of Florida's long-troubledsocial services agency, saying she appears to have made ''a conscious decisionto ignore court orders'' by not providing psychiatric treatment to severalinmates with severe mental illnesses.

In an unprecedented ruling Tuesday, Pinellas Circuit Judge Crockett Farnellordered Department of Children & Families Secretary Lucy Hadi to appear incourt next month to explain why she should not be held in criminal contempt ofcourt.

''Regular citizens who ignore court orders go to jail,'' said Bob Dillinger,the Pinellas public defender who represents several inmates there who areawaiting transport to a DCF-operated psychiatric hospital for treatment.

``I don'tthink government people should be any different.''

The issue has a statewide backdrop. Public defenders have filed court motionsaimed at forcing the DCF to treat inmates with mental illnesses in, and counties -- and public defenders elsewhere havebeen paying close attention.

Last month in , Farnell found the department in contempt andordered fines that were later suspended. Tuesday's order raises the stakes byfocusing on Hadi individually and raising the possibility of jail time.

Al Zimmerman, Hadi's spokesman in , insisted Tuesday that theagency was working as aggressively as possible to solve a bed space problem.''The secretary being led off in handcuffs is not going to help add more bedsthat are desperately needed by these people,'' Zimmerman said.

``Thedepartment and secretary want to work with the court in any way we can to solve thisproblem. We certainly in no way want to work against the court.''

'TSUNAMI' HIT

Hadi told The Herald last week that the problem became a crisis onlyrecently, when the number of jail inmates with mental illness dramaticallyexceeded the state's projections.

''We don't control the pipeline,'' Hadi said, adding that agency officialscould not have seen ``the tsunami coming.''

Zimmerman said the DCF will ask lawmakers to move $5 million from otheragency services to pay for several new beds at the state's three psychiatrichospitals that treat felony defendants. The agency doesn't yet know how many bedsthe money will pay for or when they will be available, he added.

''We get the message. And we have gotten the message,'' Zimmerman added.``There is no one in the state of Florida working harder to resolve this issuethan Secretary Hadi.''

If Farnell finds that Hadi is in contempt of judges' orders, she faces amaximum sentence of five months and 29 days in jail for each of the seven countsshe faces, Dillinger said. She also faces the possibility of unspecified finesfor each count.

15-DAY WINDOW

Under Florida law, jail inmates who are found incompetent to stand trial mustbe taken into custody by the DCF to begin psychiatric treatment within 15days of a judge's order. But for years, the agency has allowed inmates tolanguish in jail well past the deadline, arguing it lacks the money and bed space tohouse all the inmates.

The number of mentally ill inmates waiting longer than 15 days in local jailsincreased from 7 percent to 72 percent of the total number of commitments thepast six years, said Carlos Martinez, chief assistant public defender in

. His office is awaiting a ruling from a appeals court on its requestthat the DCF be held in contempt.

The wait time for a bed spiked from a week past the 15-day limit to anaverage of 62 days past the limit, Martinez added.

''The judge is right,'' Martinez said of Farnell.

``DCF has broken the lawmeant to protect people with mental illness. If judges can't enforce the laws,then we are left with an all-powerful, unaccountable executive branch.''

Last month, Farnell found the department in contempt of court, and orderedthe DCF to pay a $1,000 fine for every day a client is left at the jail past the15-day window.

The fines were suspended, however, while Farnell gave DCF officials time toarrange treatment for the inmates at a state psychiatric facility, such as

For the budget year 2006-2007, records show, 187 mentally ill defendantswaited for treatment longer than the 15 days allowed by state law. Currently, morethan 300 men and women are awaiting a treatment bed.

The DCF acknowledged that the agency cut its budget for treatment beds by $53million in the 2006-2007 budget year -- money that would have ''more thaneliminated the exiting wait list,'' Farnell wrote in his previous order.In that Oct. 11 order, Farnell accused the DCF of a ``deliberate refusal tocomply with . . . court orders.''

Farnell wrote that the DCF's recalcitrance was ''not new,'' noting that somedefendants had waited weeks -- even months -- for psychiatric care after ajudge ordered it. One man, ordered into care on Oct. 18, 2005, waited 176 days tobe transported to a hospital. Two other men, found incompetent in June,waited 82 and 86 days.

According to court records, the DCF acknowledged as far back as 2001 that thestate woefully lacked bed space for defendants either too mentally ill ormentally impaired to stand trial. In April of that year, the department said 101mentally ill clients were waiting for a bed, and another 37 were awaiting abed at an institution for the developmentally disabled.

In , the public defender's office on Feb. 9 asked Circuit JudgeMartin Bidwell to hold the DCF in contempt for ignoring his orders as well.A decision on that request is expected as early as this week.

Dick Cheney, Presidential Kings, and Iran Contra

Iran/contra: 20 Years Later and What It Means

It's the 20th anniversary of the Iran-contra scandal. Two decades ago, the public learned about the bizarre, Byzantine and (arguably) unconstitutional actions of high officials in the post-Watergate years. But many Americans did not absorb the key lesson: the Iran/contra vets were not to be trusted. Consequently, most of those officials went on to prosperous careers, with some even becoming part of the squad that has landed the United States in the current hellish mess in Iraq.

Before tying the then to the now, let's revisit the basic narrative. When Congress, by fair vote, decided in the 1980s that the United States should not assist the contras fighting the socialist Sandinista government of Nicaragua, the Reagan White House concocted several imaginative ways to pull an end-run around democracy. This mainly entailed outsourcing the job to a small band of private sector covert operators and to foreign governments, which were privately requested or pressured by the Reaganites to support the secret contra support operation. The "Iran" side of the scandal came from President Ronald Reagan's covert efforts to sell weapons to Iran to obtain the release of American hostages held by terrorist groups supposedly under the control of Tehran--at a time when the White House was publicly declaring it would not negotiate with terrorists. The two clandestine projects merged when cash generated from the weapons transactions with Iran was diverted to the contra operation.

Conservatives for years--make that decades--have argued there was nothing really criminal about the Iran/contra affair and that it was merely a political dispute between the pro-contras Republicans in the White House and the Democrats controlling Congress. Yet at the time the architects of these schemes worried they were breaking laws and placing Reagan in jeopardy of being impeached. Look at how the National Security Archive, a nonprofit outfit that gathers national security records, summarizes a memo documenting a key White House meeting on the clandestine contras program:

At a pivotal meeting of the highest officials in the Reagan Administration [on June 25, 1984], the President and Vice President [George H.W. Bush] and their top aides discuss how to sustain the Contra war in the face of mounting Congressional opposition. The discussion focuses on asking third countries to fund and maintain the effort, circumventing Congressional power to curtail the CIA's paramilitary operations. In a remarkable passage, Secretary of State George P. Shultz warns the president that White House adviser James Baker has said that "if we go out and try to get money from third countries, it is an impeachable offense." But Vice President George Bush argues the contrary: "How can anyone object to the US encouraging third parties to provide help to the anti-Sandinistas…? The only problem that might come up is if the United States were to promise to give these third parties something in return so that some people could interpret this as some kind of exchange." Later, Bush participated in arranging a quid pro quo deal with Honduras in which the U.S. did provide substantial overt and covert aid to the Honduran military in return for Honduran support of the Contra war effort.

The Iran arms-for-hostage-deal was also illegal--or so Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger thought. At a December 7, 1985 White House meeting, Weinberger argued the Iran missile deal was wrong and criminal, according to his notes of the session. Weinberger pointed out to Reagan that selling missiles to Iran would violate a U.S. embargo on arms sales to Iran and that even the president of the United States could not break this law. Nor, Weinberger added, would it be legal to use Israel as a cutout, as was under consideration. Both Secretary of State George Shultz and White House chief of staff Donald Regan, who were each present, agreed that a secret weapons deal with Iran would be against the law. Reagan, though, insisted on proceeding, noting he could answer a charge of illegality but not the charge that he had "passed up a chance to free hostages." Weinberger then quipped, "Visiting hours are Thursdays"--meaning the deal could land someone in jail. After the meeting, Regan told Weinberger he would try to talk Reagan out of the deal. He failed to do so.

Soon both the clandestine contras program and the secret Iran deal were underway, with the relevant agencies--most notably, the CIA, the Pentagon and the State Department--providing back-up and National Security Council officers Robert McFarlane, John Poindexter and Oliver North overseeing operations. In supporting the contras project, the CIA worked with individuals it suspected of being involved in drug-dealing, according to a subsequent CIA inspector general's investigation.

The skullduggery began to unravel in the fall of 1986. On October 5, 1986, a C-123 aircraft ferrying supplies to the contras was shot down by the Sandinistas, and an American named Eugene Hasenfus was captured. He told the Nicaraguans that his flight was part of a CIA-approved operation. Days later, Reagan said of the Hasenfus operation, "There was no government connection with that at all." He was not telling the truth. Shortly after that, Assistant Secretary of State Elliott Abrams testified in Congress that the administration had arranged for no foreign donations--"not a dime"--to the contras--even though he had arranged for a $10 million contribution to the rebels from the Sultan of Brunei.

On November 3, 1986, a Lebanese weekly revealed that the previous May National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane had secretly flown to Tehran. McFarlane's covert mission had been part of the arms-for-hostages deal--which now stood exposed. On November 25, Attorney General Edwin Meese held a press conference and disclosed that funds from the arms sales to Iran had been diverted to the contras support program. (I happened to be watching that press conference with Abbie Hoffman, the former Yippie, who exclaimed, "I couldn't make this stuff up.")

A full-scale scandal was born. Investigations were convened. The Reagan presidency was hobbled. But impeachment never became an issue--in part because Democratic congressional investigators removed it from the table at the start of their inquiries. White House partisans threw up a defense of spin and obfuscation that turned the affair into a political muddle. (That is, mission accomplished.) Oliver North became a hero to conservatives. Bush the Elder, who lied about his involvement in Iran/contra (saying he had been "out of the loop," though noting in a private diary that he had been one of the few officials in-the-know), was elected president in 1988.

The investigations continued. Abrams, McFarlane (who botched a suicide attempt), and a CIA officer named Alan Fiers pleaded guilty to withholding information from Congress. Two other CIA officers--Clair George and Duane Clarridge--were indicted on perjury-related charges. Former General Richard Secord and Albert Hakim, who managed the secret contra supply operation, pleaded guilty to minor charges. North and Poindexter were convicted of various counts, but their convictions were overturned on legal technicalities. Weinberger was indicted for illegally withholding his notes from special counsel Lawrence Walsh.

The affair came to an ignominious finale on Christmas Eve, 1992. George H.W. Bush, who had been defeated by Bill Clinton seven weeks earlier, issued pardons for Weinberger, Abrams, McFarlane, Clarridge, George and Fiers. Only Thomas Cline, a former CIA officer and partner of Secord and Hakim, who was found guilty of tax charges, ended up going to jail due to the Iran/contra scandal.

But history never ends. Twenty years later, Abrams is deputy national security adviser for global democracy in the George W. Bush administration. A fellow who admitted that he had not told Congress the truth and who had abetted a secret war mounted by a rebel force with an atrocious human rights record now is supposed to promote democracy abroad. Other Iran/contra figures are leading players today. Here's a partial list from the National Security Archive:

* Richard Cheney - now the vice president, he played a prominent part as a member of the joint congressional Iran-Contra inquiry of 1986, taking the position that Congress deserved major blame for asserting itself unjustifiably onto presidential turf. He later pointed to the committees' Minority Report as an important statement on the proper roles of the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

* David Addington - now Vice President Cheney's chief of staff, and by numerous press accounts a stanch advocate of expanded presidential power, Addington was a congressional staffer during the joint select committee hearings in 1986 who worked closely with Cheney.

* John Bolton - the controversial U.N. ambassador whose recess appointment by President Bush is now in jeopardy was a senior Justice Department official who participated in meetings with Attorney General Edwin Meese on how to handle the burgeoning Iran-Contra political and legal scandal in late November 1986. There is little indication of his precise role at the time.

* Robert M. Gates - President Bush's nominee to succeed Donald Rumsfeld, Gates nearly saw his career go up in flames over charges that he knew more about Iran-Contra while it was underway than he admitted once the scandal broke. He was forced to give up his bid to head the CIA in early 1987 because of suspicions about his role but managed to attain the position when he was re-nominated in 1991.

* Manuchehr Ghorbanifar - the quintessential middleman, who helped broker the arms deals involving the United States, Israel and Iran ostensibly to bring about the release of American hostages being held in Lebanon, Ghorbanifar was almost universally discredited for misrepresenting all sides' goals and interests. Even before the Iran deals got underway, the CIA had ruled Ghorbanifar off-limits for purveying bad information to U.S. intelligence. Yet, in 2006 his name has resurfaced as an important source for the Pentagon on current Iranian affairs, again over CIA objections.

* Michael Ledeen - a neo-conservative who is vocal on the subject of regime change in Iran, Ledeen helped bring together the main players in what developed into the Iran arms-for-hostages deals in 1985 before being relegated to a bit part. He reportedly reprised his role shortly after 9/11, introducing Ghorbanifar to Pentagon officials interested in exploring contacts inside Iran.

* Edwin Meese - currently a member of the blue-ribbon Iraq Study Group headed by James Baker and Lee Hamilton, he was Ronald Reagan's controversial attorney general who spearheaded an internal administration probe into the Iran-Contra connection in November 1986 that was widely criticized as a political exercise in protecting the president rather than a genuine inquiry by the nation's top law enforcement officer.

* John Negroponte - the career diplomat who worked quietly to boost the U.S. military and intelligence presence in Central America as ambassador to Honduras, he also participated in efforts to get the Honduran government to support the Contras after Congress banned direct U.S. aid to the rebels. Negroponte's profile has risen spectacularly with his appointments as ambassador to Iraq in 2004 and director of national intelligence in 2005.

Another Iran/contra veteran has dramatically returned to the scene recently: Daniel Ortega. On November 7, as the Bush White House prepared itself for congressional elections that would be widely seen as a repudiation of its war in Iraq, the morning newspapers carried the news that Ortega, the Sandinista leader whom the Reagan administration had targeted, had won a presidential election in Nicaragua. The old contras backers now running the Bush administration had to watch their old nemesis (not that Ortega was ever much of a threat) regain power, as their hold on power was slipping. The arc of history is indeed long.

As for the current relevance of Iran/contra, one could argue that the affair taught Reaganites and neocons a lesson, the wrong lesson: you can get away with it. Though the operations ended up being exposed and the Iran deal crashed and burned, the Reagan administration and the first Bush administration did create enough pressure on Nicaragua and forced the expulsion of the Sandinista government in a 1990 election. Perhaps more important for this crowd, no one involved in the shady activity was held accountable. Bush the First was elected. Abrams and other scandal vets were rewarded with prominent posts in the next Republican administration--that of Bush the Younger. The Reaganites had lied to Congress and the public about Iran/contra and ultimately escaped retribution.

This sordid episode hardly served as a warning--either for the Iran/contra alumni who would lead the United States into the debacle in Iraq or for voters who would support an administration staffed with people who twenty years earlier had made their bones in a scandal involving war and truth. One can hope, though, that the disingenuous, reality-defying engineers of the current disaster will be too old or too discredited to return to power two decades from now.

******

DON"T FORGET ABOUT HUBRIS: THE INSIDE STORY OF SPIN, SCANDAL, AND THE SELLING OF THE IRAQ WAR, the best-selling book by David Corn and Michael Isikoff. Click here for information on the book. The New York Times calls Hubris "the most comprehensive account of the White House's political machinations" and "fascinating reading." The Washington Post says, "There have been many books about the Iraq war....This one, however, pulls together with unusually shocking clarity the multiple failures of process and statecraft." Tom Brokaw notes Hubris "is a bold and provocative book that will quickly become an explosive part of the national debate on how we got involved in Iraq." Hendrik Hertzberg, senior editor of The New Yorker notes, "The selling of Bush's Iraq debacle is one of the most important--and appalling--stories of the last half-century, and Michael Isikoff and David Corn have reported the hell out of it." For highlights from Hubris, click here.

From the culturekitchen blog:

Pondering impeachment

The constitution provides for the removal from office of the President and Vice-President for what it terms 'treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors'. As does so much else in our constitutional system, the idea of impeachment derives from English law. Despite their illegitimacy, impeachment and removal are therefore the legal avenue (of several available) that seems most apt for dealing with George Bush and Dick Cheney.

In judicial terms, impeachment is comparable to an indictment; at the Federal level, a simple majority of the House of Representatives is required to vote out Articles of Impeachment. These are then presented to the United States Senate, presided over by the Chief Justice, where a super-majority of two thirds is required for conviction and removal.

Notably, The Federalist Papers make clear that impeachment is a political, as opposed to a judicial, process.

A well-constituted court for the trial of impeachments is an object not more to be desired than difficult to be obtained in a government wholly elective. The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust. They are of a nature which may with peculiar propriety be denominated POLITICAL, as they relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself.

A cursory glance at the subject suggests that it's not a bad idea to untangle the judicial and political strings intertwined in the impeachment discussion.

The judicial case is reasonably clear at first glance: both Bush and Cheney regularly flaunt their breaking of established law, such as the FISA statute. They knowingly presented false evidence to the United States Congress as it was debating the authorization to use force against Iraq. They authorized the breaking of U.S. law in detainee interrogations, most notably at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. They claim discretion to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus. All of these acts, and others, stem from a theory of law embraced by this administration known as the unitary executive. The theory holds that the executive branch, under the Constitution, is free to act without restraints which the legislative and judicial branches may seek to impose. It's worth noting that there is little in either U.S. or UK precedent that would establish the unitary executive theory as valid; Charles II lost his head on a scaffold in an earlier iteration of this argument. Parallels can be seen in Lenin's dictum that the Communist Party's dictatorship over the Russian people rests "directly on force, not limited by anything, not restricted by any laws, nor any absolute rules."

Arguably, adherence to this theory – and acting on it – is enough to consider the case for impeachment, given that it is fundamentally inimical to the established forms of American governance. Many Americans probably haven't yet grasped how fundamentally radical this so-called administration is, or how much the bootlickery of the departing 109th Congress has masked this radicalism. In terms of our system of common law, the last six years have established precedents that should frighten us; post-Bush, future legitimate, elected Presidents can point to his tenure when they're inclined to disregard duly enacted laws. It is this precedent that needs to be addressed above all, and while impeachment is one vehicle to do so, there are others that might accomplish the same result.

The political case is far more murky.

As a practical matter, impeachment and removal can't be partisan; this is strongly implied by the aborted proceedings against Nixon and the trial of President Clinton. The Federalist No. 65, quoted above, agrees:

The prosecution of them, for this reason, will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community, and to divide it into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused. In many cases it will connect itself with the pre-existing factions, and will enlist all their animosities, partialities, influence, and interest on one side or on the other; and in such cases there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt. [Emphasis added]

The estimable Bob Fertik – would that the country had more patriots like him – addresses the partisan issue in a recent diary on DKos, arguing that republicans may come to view impeachment and removal with much friendlier eyes if Bush continues to be the gravedigger of his own party.

Realistically, there are two routes to creating a climate favorable to impeachment:

One, a series of investigations likely to produce overwhelming evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors, most likely somewhere in the nexus of Iraq, intelligence and energy policy, or

Two, a confrontation between the executive and legislative branches over the former's claim to unchecked executive privilege.

Under the first scenario, various committees of the House would uncover evidence of, say, pre-9/11 plans to divide up Iraq's oil resources, or evidence that the administration purposefully and knowingly lied to Congress prior to the Use-of-force resolution in 2002, or perhaps evidence that the domestic surveillance program targeted Democrats for wiretaps; the second, which should be considered likely under the unitary executive theory, could result from, for example, a subpoena issued to the White House that it in turn would reject. Under both scenarios, Congressional republicans would come under withering public pressure to drop their support of Messrs 33% and 18%, respectively.

There is also the question of who would replace either Bush or Cheney, or both. A case can be made that their removal would result in the elevation of a republican unblemished by their actions, which would not accrue to our partisan benefit. Another would have Nancy Pelosi in the Oval Office (which would likely be distasteful to the bevy of Democratic Presidential contenders). Gerald Ford's experience suggests that a new republican President would be damaged goods going into 2008; other than that, there's not really a roadmap to electoral fallout. Conversely, it's worth pointing out that the failure to impeach Reagan over Iran-Contra gave Reaganism a new lease on life; and look where that brought us.

I would argue for a pragmatic approach to the question of impeachment; if it is primarily a political process, and it is, it appears that this process hasn't really begun yet. The activists who have been pushing the subject have been very effectively shut out for the last six years. It's also worth considering that impeachment would accomplish two goals, both of which can be arrived at in other ways: one is punishment of Bush and Cheney for what they admit are crimes (such as illegal wiretapping; they maintain they have a right to break laws), the other is establishing the legal precedent that future Presidents (again, legitimate holders of the office) are bound by laws. Punishment could, for example, be achieved through the domestic or international criminal justice system, the main hurdle coming immediately to mind being the question of standing to file a suit; while the legal precedent could be nullified via a constitutional amendment, an Act of Congress, or a Supreme Court decision. Certainly, if the next President is a Democrat, these avenues will be open and populated heavily by republicans.

The important thing for Democrats to remember now is this: we hold power, and thus all the cards we need to hold. We can move forward at our discretion and pleasure. Impeachment could very well be a part of the way forward, and odds are strong that the Bush White House could prove arrogant and obstinate enough to lend a helping hand. Time will tell.

Lyme disease activists to protest

By Robert Miller THE NEWS-TIMES

Area Lyme disease activists, dismayed by recently released treatmentguidelines for the illness, will go public with their protest Thursday,rallying at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College inValhalla, N.Y., where the lead author of the guidelines works.

"They're highly restrictive,'' said Dr. Steven Phillips, a Ridgefieldphysician who is the former president of the International Lyme andAssociated Diseases Society. "I just cannot understand why they'vechosen to ignore all the data on this.''

"They were worse than we expected,'' said Maggie Shaw of the NewtownLyme Disease Task Force.

"In a word, I think they're a disgrace,'' said Dr. Raphael Stricker ofSan Francisco, who is the current president of ILADS. "They're notrelying on best science. They're relying on their opinion.''

The guidelines are so controversial that Attorney General RichardBlumenthal has intervened. His office is now investigating whether thegroup that wrote the guidelines, the Infectious Diseases Society ofAmerica, is a monopolistic organization trying to shape treatment ofthe tick-borne disease without allowing other treatment options toemerge.

"It's a medical issue but also a patient issue,'' Blumenthal said."Their guidelines limit very severely the types of diagnosis andtreatment available to patients. In a way, that's anti-competitive.''

The national guidelines issued by the Infectious Diseases Society ofAmerica recommend that doctors give patients with Lyme disease 10 to 28days of oral antibiotics to treat the disease, with another monthallowed for persistent symptoms.

But the guidelines -- now posted on the Web site of the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention -- deny the existence of chronic Lymedisease, saying there's no medical evidence that the bacteria thatcauses Lyme survives antibiotic treatment.

It also emphasizes using either the characteristic bull's-eye rash orblood tests to help correctly diagnose the disease -- two methods Lymeactivists say can lead to Lyme cases being missed.

Diana Olson, spokeswoman for the infectious diseases society, said the14 doctors who worked on the guidelines -- led by Dr. Gary Wormser, aninfectious disease specialist at Westchester Medical Center/New YorkMedical College -- studied more than 400 published medical reports onLyme disease before coming to their conclusions.

"This is the best science has to offer,'' she said.

Olson said the society could not take into account things likepatients' anecdotal accounts of their Lyme disease treatment in writingthe guidelines. Nor, she said, did it concern itself with whetherinsurance companies would pay for treatment outside those guidelines.

She also said that guidelines are just that, and that patients anddoctors are free to find different treatments that work best for them.

She also said the society is cooperating fully with Blumenthal'soffice.

But Lyme activists and doctors who support a more liberal approach totreating the disease said the new guidelines are highly restrictive,not allowing doctors any latitude in treatment.

Perhaps the most contentious point is whether chronic Lyme disease evenexists.

Many Lyme patients and their doctors contend the standard treatment forLyme disease sometimes fails, or never gets administered to begin with.

When that happens, they say, the bacterial spirochete that causes thedisease can re-emerge in the body, causing a bewildering array ofsymptoms -- including arthritis, chronic fatigue, heart problems,memory loss, depression, and neurological disorders including loss ofsight and hearing.

To treat these symptoms -- and those of several other tick-borneillnesses, which can overlap -- these doctors recommend several monthsor even years of antibiotics, often using a mix of drugs.

The infectious disease society, however, said that these symptoms are"nonspecific'' and associated with many other illnesses, not Lymeinfection. They also caution that there are medical problems --including the development of drug resistance -- that should leadpatients to avoid long-term antibiotic care whenever possible.

But Phillips of Ridgefield and Stricker of San Francisco said thisapproach ignores the hundreds of studies that now show the Lymebacteria can bury itself in muscle tissue, lie dormant, then re-emerge.

"There (have) been 18,000 papers published on Lyme disease,'' Strickersaid. "So saying you're looking at 400 means you've only looked at 5percent of the research."

"The evidence just continues to grow and grow on this,'' Phillips said."To ignore a whole section of this research, as if it doesn't exist,raises questions for me.''

Because of the prestige the infectious disease society carries, Lymeactivists say insurance companies will now be even more adamant aboutrefusing coverage beyond 28 days of antibiotics -- something, they say,that has already begun.

They also say the new guidelines will stifle new treatments, becausedoctors will fear they'll be disciplined if they step beyond theguidelines.

"This isn't theoretical,'' Blumenthal said. "It will come down to amatter of dollars and cents.''

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Offensive Racist Cartoons and Other Pics

Click Here for Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Ferris State University

Click Here for a post with YouTube videos on how I, a White, and others, are the victims of Connecticut's Racist Policies still enforced. I was told by former Selectman John Jullian of Stafford Springs, Connecticut, for a way to keep "Spics and Niggers" out of of Stafford (the Connecticut policy seems to extend all over CT) was to squeeze out landlords and small businesses that cater to them. What!!!???

No wonder Connecticut continues to lose population to other "American" States.

Yet, Connecticut government and spending continues to grow. The only way Connecticut's Blue Blood Elitists can live high off the hog is to live off the blood of others. Cushey jobs are handed out to those with connections. Those that have powerful friends can become judges with no experience and can get jobs with the prison system and DCF taking kids away from parents. The elite can commit perjury, rape, rob, assault, and murder with almost absolute immunity.

Do some research and it is more disgusting than you can possibly imagine.

-Steven G. Erickson a.k.a. Blogger Vikingas

Email: stevengerickson@yahoo.com

Click Heredoes this make me a US Victim of Domestic Spying even before the Patriot Act and the suspension of Habeas Corpus?

Racist Courts

June 11, 2004

Are U.S. Courts still racist, but now just a little more slick about it?

Are there Black and White sections in prison?
Does it matter what race you are, what you do for a living, or where you live, on whether or not you are arrested, or even how severely you are punished, if at all?
...
Well, when I was serving time in a Connecticut Prison for overreacting to being beaten from behind during a robbery attempt on my property, I met Mathew Barron, Connecticut Inmate # 300850, formerly of Danbury, CT. If his claims are true, Connecticut State Courts need a serious looking into, if not so, nationally to see that citizens are treated fairly and Constitutionally.
I had a lot of time to get to know Matt, an African American, about age 40. Seemingly very intelligent, head shaved, a lady�s man, had the record for being the fastest runner out of probably 1000 inmates at Bergin C.I., Storrs, Connecticut. Matt claims to have been active in the bar business as a bartender, possibly having invested in his own bar in the past.
I served time with him in the �Black� section of the prison, which seemed to house mostly Hispanic and African American inmates as compared to the better facilities, the White section, or �Country Club,� section of the prison.
The showers were inferior, the water from the water fountain was almost hot and heavily chlorinated, the roofs leaked, and we have to bring 5 gallon buckets that doubled as rain catchers to fill up in the showers as the water usually ran down the wall, not on you, in the �Black Section� of the prison. The water would only make you more thirsty and using it to bathe caused sores on the skin for too many inmates.
Matt�s story as I remember it being told to me:
Matt claims he had a restraining order against his white girl friend in the medical field for stalking and harassing him. Matt claims he woke up to her in his home where he woke up to the sharp pain of being slammed in the face with an iron, he claimed he fought her off and called police.
He claims that he was also arrested and charged with Assault in the 3rd degree for defending himself, and his ex-girlfriend was charged with felony assault. He claims that his ex-girlfriend violated her restraining order, committed a felony while on probation and served no jail time, just had her probation extended. Matt who claims to have helped during the 9-11 clean-up as a worker there, ended up having to serve a full year in prison for having to defend himself.
* * * *
If this story is 100% or even partially accurate, shouldn�t we all be just a little concerned about the fairness of our courts?
Are they to punish certain races, occupations, and those living in certain geographic locations more or less severely based on bias and prejudice?
Do certain power brokers, politicians, judges, and police officials have an agenda, target individuals, and act out on personal vendettas?
* * * *
Tom DeCiantis, Connecticut Inmate #273332, claims he, while on probation, got angry with a man that had talked to girl he like at the bar he worked at in Ellington, and that he attacked the man severely breaking his nose, almost the guy�s jaw, causing permanent scarring and severe pain, was caught jumping on the individual when police arrived. Allegedly just after slamming he guy over and over into a brick wall. Tom claimed he was drunk and on drugs at the time of the incident.
Tom claims he was on probation during the incident, and alcohol or drug consumption was a violation. For Tom�s assault while on probation, he was sentenced to a $250 fine, no jail time, nor additional probation.
He allegedly got another DUI, while on probation, and tested dirty in his urine for alcohol and drugs, possibly for a fifth, sixth, or even seventh time, possibly including cocaine. He was allegedly given chance after chance and his probation officer felt he or she had to violate Tom.
He ended up getting sentenced to four months in prison for the violation of probation and possibly should have gotten a year or years for all of his offenses, just while on probation.
* * * *Tom Alcutt, a police informant story(the above link is expired, that story is cut and pasted below this post)
* * * *
Peter Griffin, Connecticut Inmate # 306810, claims he was/is the owner of the Cadillac Ranch, a country line dancing bar, and another Connecticut hot spot. Peter claimed his father retired as did the Connecticut Alcohol Enforcement official whom he bribed for protection and to stay out of trouble. Since the official had retired Peter claimed he didn�t know what new Connecticut Official he was supposed to bribe to stay out of trouble.
Peter claimed that he was targeted for his property and assets by over zealous drug enforcement agents. It only takes three arrests under the nuisance statute where your property and business can be seized and the State and Law Enforcement get to split the booty.
Peter claimed that a drug dealer and a customer were offered immunity or some type of deal to do a drug deal at Pete�s bar. Pete claims he was the number 3 arrest, and because he supposedly �knew� about the drug deal he was charged with accessory and with conspiracy and all the other charges of the other 2.
Peter claimed the other 2 only got a slap on the wrist and he was charged with felonies facing 9 or more years in prison. Peter claims he wanted to preserve his marriage and see his children grow up, so he claims even though he is innocent, elected to plea to the charges and serve a year and a half in prison and be labeled a felon for the rest of his life, unable to vote, or operate in the love of his life, the bar business.
Peter, probably has more knowledge of the system, how corrupt it is, and it doesn�t matter if you are guilty or innocent as the powers that be decide the outcome, many times, before there is even a �show trial�.
* * * *
Other bar owners in another part of Connecticut, Stafford Springs, that did not play cards and eat lunch with the Selectman of the town at that time, found themselves in prison, or forced out of business or go to prison.
What does that say?
Business owners that are not connected to the cronyism, graft, and corruption in Connecticut Town Halls are a target for their assets, property, and to be put out of business to bolster the profits and assets of the privileged.
* * * *
What about the story of another landlord (click here for post on Donald Christmas) threatened and facing prison for threatening to sue for civil rights violations, proposing laws forcing police to protect and serve ALL residents, and being outspoken?
* * * *
Ok, doubters, does my story now make sense? Picture of my former property in this post, and my story found with this one.
* * * *If shit like this is ok with you, maybe you should remain quiet, just don�t ask a tried and convicted, "Big Mouth," like me to fight for you or to expose your injustice.Because, I just won�t care either.
-Steven G. Erickson (Vikingas)Getting Tarred and FeatheredDisclaimer: The contents of this post, and of all of my posts, emails, letters, and what is printed in newspapers, is to my best belief and knowledge, and represents my opinions, solely.

Anybody that wants to join me, help in the fight, represent me legally in the fight against civil rights abuses of the police and the courts, sue the prison system for covering up abuse, misconduct, and hiding abuse from federal prison inspectors, wants to sue Connecticut for being racist and unfair, or has thought of a lawsuit, class action, or not, that somehow involves me, my fight, my cause, please write me at:
Steven G. EricksonPO Box 730Enfield, CT 06083-0730Posted by: Steven G. Erickson at June 11, 2004 10:24 AM

To: Arthur L. Spada, Commission of the Connecticut State Police, to your lackey, Governor John G. Rowland, and to others that either told me to �shut or else,� and leave the State and/or wanted me silenced,
Message: FUCK YOU �
And how do you like me now?
Oh, and by the way, P.S. EAT SHITPosted by: Steven G. Erickson at June 11, 2004 11:08 AM

The prisoners themselves add to the segragation that takes place in a prison. Blacks hang with blacks, latinos with latinos, whites with whites, and then the innocent huddle in the corners and wait to get shived and raped.
There are gangs in prisons and alot of them are based on race. Is it the prison system or the mentallity of the inmates???Posted by: Gordo at June 11, 2004 11:51 AM

I encourage all of you to visit the web site listed below. It shows and tells everything Steve is talking about and more.
Please visit http://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/usa/ Posted by: Clifford W. Thornton, Jr. at June 11, 2004 12:35 PM

Gordo
It is society itself, segragated housing, education,etc,etc. So when going to prison it is business as usual. You hang with the people you know, the people that look most like you. As long as we live in pockets of isolation we conjure up our own perceptions, these perceptions become our realities but are not necessarly the truthPosted by: Clifford W. Thornton, Jr. at June 11, 2004 03:02 PM

About Cliff's comment: Erik the Viking made it a post of its own now....
About Gordo's question, is this a system racism or does it have to do with the inmates: I think that this is a classist argument (which I don't disagree with) that may also apply to the correctional officers.Posted by: Ranadeb at June 13, 2004 01:07 AM

Steven G. Erickson and Vikingas are one in the same.
No, the link above is not for something already posted, that is separate and stands on its own.Posted by: Steven G. Erickson at June 13, 2004 09:53 AM

September 10, 2003

If Law Enforcement acted as Advertised, street crime and drug use would be vastly reduced.

Police should not be partnering with street criminals and small time drug dealers,'informants', to fleece the taxpayer beyond what he/she already pays in outrageous taxes.As it is now, the law enforcement system is a sham.
If officers actually did their jobs they could see their numbers reduced. So a cop on every corner does little to curb crime if the main agenda is collecting traffic fines, other fees, confiscating money, and property.
It would then make sense to leave the career criminal parasites alone as they cannot be easily found and fined. Instead they are a law enforcement TOOL. An informant can set up innocent and not so innocent individuals that do have money and property to take away.
An example of this is Thomas Alcutt, Connecticut Prisoner # 305757, Bergin Correctional Institute, Storrs, Connecticut. Alcutt told me that he had a $200 to $1000 daily crack cocaine habit for a period of years.
Alcutt claimed he broke into countless houses and garages, even when the people were home. Thomas told me he preferred garages as if they were easy to get into and there was usually enough valuables in the garage without having to go into the house, so he had enough goods to sell at a Southern Connecticut pawn shop to fuel his daily addiction.
Just think of how much misery and loss of dollars was caused by this one individual. If drug users were corrected as caught, there would be less distribution, crime, and those caught early could be taxpayers, not in prison with long sentences, dead, or one of the growing number of common criminal, parasite, frauds.
After committing hundreds and hundreds of crimes for many years, Alcutt told me he got careless and was caught by police in his car, smoking crack, yet another time. Alcutt told me he was offered a deal by drug enforcement agents to stage buys for them and he could keep half the money and half the crack seized! Alcutt felt loyalty and feared his drug connections so opted to finally go to prison for a short stint for his countless crimes.
If true, police could actually be encouraging crime and the fleecing of the average citizen, the taxpayer. Drunk driving, domestic disputes, and other social problems were not concentrated on until there was a realization that these behaviors produce untold revenues in fines, forced tuition for classes, and is just one more way to take control citizens, circumventing the U.S. Constitution. If the social problem of drinking were really a concern the higher functioning citizens with assets and cash would not be the only target for drunk driving, those passing out on sidewalks, staggering around downtown areas daily would also be targeted.
In Connecticut, a loud screaming match between married people can result in arrest, probation, fines, and forced tuition. Do the homeless get arrested and treated the same if they exhibit the same behaviors? If not, why? It's the money and homeless people often smell and are not pleasant to deal with.
I have seen police in Stafford Springs, Connecticut refuse to arrest teens that were drunk, fighting, one putting his hand though a window causing a massive wound.
It was common knowledge, the teens were small time drug dealers, vandals, and house breakers, but since they had exhibited bad behavior for years and had nothing of real value to take, they were left to commit more and more crimes. Job security for police, and those unable to behave themselves use alcohol, tobacco, and drugs which ultimately produces revenue in huge quantities in the short term.
Crime would immediately be reduced the minute police start protecting and serving downtown home, business, investment property owners, and those honest, hardworking citizens just trying to get by. As it is now police mainly serve the Cities and Towns in revenue collected, not the people.
Those that don't vote, voice their opinions in letters to the editor, and contact their politicians by snail mail and by phone are condoning bad policies, corruption, and the dilution of the Constitution.
If you, as Americans, want rights for yourself and for future generations, the time to speak up and act is now.
-Steven G. Erickson(formerly of Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Run out by Connecticut State Police for having complained about downtown crime, drug dealing, in letters to the editor and for having the 'audacity' of actually proposing 'Civilian Oversight' of police to State and Federal legislators.)
_______________________(added Feb. 5, 2004)Drug Dealer/House Breaker shoots pig in head, downtown Stafford Springs, Connecticut3 Stooges Security Service

Homeboy, you might be rights about some things buts I tell you now it ain't what you thinks it is with the cops. They be busting my bros left and right and I've been going to jail lately now for ever in a day homeboy. The fact is, why can't we all just get along?Posted by: Mavin Johnson at September 10, 2003 10:15 AM

The whole judicial system is screwed up and the innocent are paying the price.Posted by: Karla at April 16, 2004 02:46 PM

The whole judicial system is screwed up and the innocent are paying the price.Posted by: Karla at April 16, 2004 02:46 PM

The whole judicial system is screwed up and the innocent are paying the price.Posted by: Karla at April 16, 2004 02:47 PM

I hope you can help me expose the injustice of the cops and corrupt local law enforcement. Please go to:http://justice-and-freedom.20megsfree.com and read the story of the murder of my Son and join me in my demand that his murder be investigated and the murderer arrested. I can't seem to find any support anywhere in this country. Please add your voice to minePosted by: Deborah at June 23, 2004 11:53 AM

Monday, November 27, 2006

Liars on the Court

I used to have perfect credit, a home, a small business, health insurance, rental properties that Ifixed up from a boarded up condition, a clean criminal record and the ability to get lucrative work.

I was falsely arrested and falsely imprisoned with your tax dollars.

You paid to make the economy worse and cause misery. There is no accountability of police or those in the judiciary.

I got terminated today because of what is above. It was part of 9 pages of a background check. All bad credit, convictions, and prison, would you hire me or let me live in your apartment?

Racism does this to a whole group of people. Those deemed "White Trash" suffer a similar fate. I got mouthy about Police and Judicial Corruption in newspapers and to elected officials proposing Civilian Oversight of Police and Judicial Accountability.

I defended myself against a mugger using pepperspray in my own dark driveway, my home. You paid, my family pays and pays, and society pays for lies, bullshit and retaliation.

Is that ok with you, is it ok that you are paying for the abuse and another hit to a fragile economy?

* * * *

Ritt Goldstein proposed Civilian Oversight of Police to elected officials and wanted Judicial accountability. He then fled to Sweden seeking political Asylum. Connecticut was that bad back in Dec 1996 the date of the legislative meeting for the video below. It is amazing what cops and the courts can get away with, it is much worse now. The video is hard to understand in the beginning, but watching the near 30 minute video will leave you shaking your head.

Anatomy of a Rigged Jury

This is the solution. (to getting my charges, arrest and prison record, erased)

Jury Duty Tapes Edited To Fix Errors

9:46 AM EST,January 30, 2004

By DIANE STRUZZI, The Hartford Courant

Judicial officials have recalled and re-edited about 65 videotapes used statewide to introduce potential jurors to the court system after a Superior Court judge ruled they contained inaccurate statements about the law.

The videos, called "Pursuit of Justice" and "The Voir Dire," have been seen by individuals called in for jury duty. "Pursuit of Justice" presents an overview of the judicial branch, including an explanation of the role of juries. "The Voir Dire" talks about the jury selection process, in particular the procedure in which lawyers question potential jurors.

Superior Court Judge Richard Dyer, sitting in Rockville, made his ruling after Public Defender Karen Goodrow requested that the tapes not be shown to potential jurors in a drunken-driving case. Goodrow argued that the videos were prejudicial and wrongly instructed potential jurors about their role and the law.

The portions of the tapes being disputed focused, in part, on statements about jurors determining "guilt or innocence" of a defendant.

"They're never instructed to find if a person is innocent," Goodrow said. "You could be in a situation where a jury feels the state has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, but feels [the defendant] is not innocent. But because they're following the law they have to find him not guilty."

Dyer found that several comments in the videos could undermine the presumption of a defendant's innocence and ordered that they not be shown to prospective jurors in the drunken-driving case.

"Although the court believes that proper final instructions could completely cure any potential harm caused by the few erroneous introductory instructions referenced above, the court finds that it is improper to knowingly present any inaccurate or possibly prejudicial information to potential jurors," Dyer wrote in his Jan. 7 decision.

He did not uphold other objections raised by Goodrow, including her objection to the inclusion of the American flag and the U.S. Constitution in one video.

Tolland County State's Attorney Matthew Gedansky said his office argued against Goodrow's motion, but respects the judge's ruling. Judge Jonathan Kaplan, administrative judge for the Tolland Judicial District, immediately suspended the use of the videos and alerted the deputy chief court administrator and chief administrative judge for criminal courts.

"Once I'm on notice that a judge of the Superior Court feels that something we do has some constitutional problems in it, my feeling is it was irresponsible to just ignore that and show the movies in other cases," Kaplan said.

Dyer's ruling had an immediate ripple effect throughout the state judicial system. Chief Court Administrator Joseph Pellegrino called on several judges to review the tapes and determine if changes should be made, according to Melissa Farley, a spokeswoman for the judicial branch. The judges decided the tapes should be re-edited, and on Jan. 12 Pellegrino sent e-mails to all administrative judges asking them not to show the tapes. E-mails also were sent to other court officials and to law libraries, requesting they return the tapes.

"We thought we should give the benefit of the doubt to taking out those statements [Dyer] thought were objectionable," Pellegrino said. "Of course, we could have waited for an appeal, but if the Appellate Court found he was right then there might be some cases that might be overturned ..."

Farley said she believes this is the first time a Superior Court judge has issued a decision regarding the videos. An earlier version of "Pursuit of Justice" was edited after several criminal lawyers voiced concerns about the tape, Farley said. The changes will be the first made to the "The Voir Dire,", which was produced after the legislature passed a law regarding jury selection in 1996. The late Judge John Maloney largely guided the making of both videos and received suggestions from various lawyer organizations, Farley said.

The changes to the tapes included omitting an announcer's statement about juries and judges determining "an individual's guilt or innocence" and a judge's statement about deciding the guilt or innocence of the accused, according to information provided by the judicial branch.

Changes have been completed on "Pursuit of Justice," which is being redistributed to courts. Changes to "The Voir Dire" are expected to be done soon and redistribution completed within the next 10 days, Farley said. Meanwhile , judges will give oral instructions to potential jurors.

Deputy Chief State's Attorney Paul Murray said that if jurors were prejudiced by the remarks on the videos it was only in a minor way and, as Dyer pointed out, the errors could be corrected by other means.

Several defense lawyers appeared split on the impact of the videos on potential jurors.

Michael Georgetti, chairman of the Hartford County Bar Association's criminal justice committee, said he typically asks potential jurors what they thought about the tapes, but has never challenged the videos.

"First impressions are lasting impressions, and what they see in the first hour of jury duty is probably what they remember the most," he said. "If I have to pick a jury between now and the time the tapes come out, I'll make a motion for a continuance so the jury indoctrination can be reviewed by me."

Richard R. Brown said he doesn't believe the videos affect the jurors.

"My primary reason for that feeling is Connecticut has, beyond question, the best voir dire system for the selection of jurors," he said. "I feel any deficiencies in the videos were cured by an opportunity to thoroughly question prospective jurors before being seated at trial. ... I think in the real world it's much ado about nothing."

But Chief Public Defender Gerard Smyth called Dyer's decision "extremely important because it's difficult enough to get jurors to engage in the presumption of innocence when someone is arrested and charged with a crime."

"Sometimes jurors are left with the impression that their oath and obligation is to convict the guilty. Their obligation goes beyond that," he said. "What remains to be seen is whether or not the revised version of the tapes remedies the problems."

Goodrow said it would be a good time to overhaul the videos using suggestions from defense lawyers, prosecutors, judges and other court personnel. Some defense lawyers agree. Pellegrino said he isn't opposed to the suggestion and would be happy to do whatever it takes to create better videos.

Defense lawyer M.H. Reese Norris, who in the past has challenged one of the videos, said he supports the idea.

"If you have everyone's input," he said, "you won't have this problem in the future."

Blinded by Science

Fraud is Fraud. There are tests for Lyme Disease that aren't even worth using.

It is causing misery and those scientists and others that are understanding the corporate fraud/International Crime are being gone after in retaliation for having spoken out. Officials in Connecticut, Big Pharma, Yale University, Smith Kline Beecham, and others are the possible perps in one of the biggest medical frauds ever. Even the sick with Lyme Disease can be targets just for know Lyme Disease is not curable and can be passed on to unborn children.

Donald Christmas of Thompsonville Connecticut

I placed a comment, today, Dec. 14, 2008, at the bottom of this post, please scroll down for video and other links.

stevengerickson@yahoo.com

Donald Christmas talks about his saga:

Video uploaded Dec. 18, 2007

November 19, 2003

Railroading of Mr. Donald Christmas

Are FREE SPEECH rights limited to those of 'approved of' occupations living in suburban areas?

Donald Christmas was allegedly told by Enfield, Connecticut, Police officers to keep his 'Big Mouth' Shut. Don is allegedly being pulled over and harassed by Enfield Police Officers.

What are Mr. Christmas' crimes?

Well a biggie is that he spoke out at an Enfield town meeting against the proposed ordinance of a $75/day fine for broken windows and damaged siding until repaired by the landlord.

His comments were printed in the newspaper. Oh, the audacity and nerve of this man not keeping his opinion to himself!

Little to nothing is done about vandalism and tenants that damage property, so lawbreakers can benefit the town's cash addiction with a specific landlord fleecing ordinance.

In the past Enfield Police Officers were sent to doors collecting overdue library fines.

Don is scheduled to appear this week for a pre-trial hearing at the Enfield Superior Court.

Mr. Christmas was allegedly verbally assaulted, then physically assaulted on his property.

His attacker faces no charges, but allegedly the best the prosecutor will do for Don is allow him to plead guilty and go to prison for a year making him lose contact with his family, his wife, the next child she is expecting, and out of his life’s work, his investment property.

Being a 2nd Class Citizen in possession of a 'Big Mouth' caught on your property, getting attacked, is so heinous that the perpetrator should go directly to jail and away from society, friends, family, and out of all your possessions. Bad, bad, human, go directly to jail.

I should know as I was caught the same way on my property in possession of a 'Big Mouth' and was forced to leave the State of Connecticut after serving prison time as I was still in possession of a 'Big Mouth' after my stint and was threatened with prison if I did not leave the State.

I guess calling Connecticut, the 'Constitution State' is like calling a propaganda department, 'The Ministry of Information'.

So it is more important that landlords with 'Big Mouths' are deprived of their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for exercising FREE SPEECH because of their unwanted, despicable profession as they give shelter to drug addicts, alcoholics, frauds, criminal parasites, and other perceived, unwanted scum in a community, RENTERS, and should be eradicated first before any other pieces of human garbage.

What's next, firing up the ovens?

Railroading Donald Christmas is un-American and BULLSHIT. Is that ok with you?-Steven G. Erickson

They are not going to slap you on the wrist this time. You are playing with the big boys and you are really going to get burned.

Realize that no one gives a shit, especially about you.

Posted by: Concerned at November 19, 2003 08:00 AM

is this for real?

Posted by: at November 19, 2003 10:01 AM

xoxox

Posted by: at November 19, 2003 10:02 AM

Steve,these types of stories are all too common. You should read "Black Mass" it is about the Irish mob in Boston as told by Boston Globe reporters. The FBI teamed up with Whitie Bulger to kill off members of the Italian mob.

All sorts of corruption between the FBI and the Irish mob. Those that did nothing were in prison for life for murder thanks to the the FBI.

Whitie had protection from the FBI and the Irish mob could collect cash, share it with the FBI, and do hits.

Good reading. Your stories are like kids on a playground compared to what is really going on. Check out this Amazon.com review of the book.

Is this a LL site? (by LL[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 2:06 PMMessage: What the hell is going on with this site zapping Steven(CT) ?

This man has done nothing wrong, he has been polite, sincere, and even answered some post intelligently on REPAIRS.

Have we finally got to the point that we don't want to hear what can/could happen to an out spoken individual who doesn't want to play games with city officials, and the best thing one can say is YOU BROUGHT IT ON YOUR SELF..now that is one sad commentary.

Now if all you want to hear is FEEL good testimony, then embrace your politicians they are experts at it, but give very little in the way of substance.

Again I thought this site was about LANDLORDS helping LANDLORDS !!!

WHY IS THIS MAN BEING SILENCED on this site too?

Folks you have nothing to fear BUT FEAR it self, don't be frighten to ask the hardball QUESTIONS. --64.12.96.70

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Joseph[OH])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 2:26 PMMessage: I don't know what happened to Erickson, nor do I speak for anyone else at this site. But the problem, as I alone see it, is that Mr. Erickson continually posted his personal story or several references to it and plugging another website. Ask a question and many times he would have either no or a short response to the original post, then a lengthy commentary about what happened to him regarding corruption in CT and his apparent imprisonment.

You posted:

"Have we finally got to the point that we don't want to hear what can/could happen to an out spoken individual who doesn't want to play games with city officials, and the best thing one can say is YOU BROUGHT IT ON YOUR SELF" No-many just got to the point of not wanting to hear it over and over again when we are not in a position to do anything about it. For most, we are not from CT or anywhere else in the East, we do not vote there and we do not own property there. So our voice there is virtually nil. If Mr. Erickson were this active with his local landlords, perhaps he would have more success and satisfaction. --64.105.217.98

RE: Is this a LL site? (by LL[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 2:44 PMMessage: "No-many just got to the point of not wanting to hear it over and over again when we are not in a position to do anything about it."

That's a piss poor reason, how about just giving the man a little moral support, I don't think that's asking for too much.

I pray I never end up in such a predictiment and have to rely on such disgusting support from fellow landlords, no wonder the politicians give you the BOHICA treatment.

Plato was correct! the older I get the more I understand what he meant by the MASSES are INCURRIBLY ignorant.

Keep up the good fight STEVEN(CT) not all are sidewalk supervisors only offering LIP service.

I would be embarrassed to be associated with such thoughtless landlords, I prefer to sit with people that have a steel rod for a spine, the jelly fish can sit in the park with the pidgeon feeders.

There Steven, I said it for you, you are too much of a gentleman for this left brained bunch. --64.12.96.135

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Radar[IN])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:09 PMMessage: I don't think that LL(VA) and Steven are two of the same. Surely Steven would not have spelled sarcasm as sargassum. Duh...

Steven's problems are between himself and the state of CT or that little po-dunk town, wherever it is in CT. I have watched this garbage go on for a month or two and have said nothing. If Mr. Erickson were serious in his endeavors, to bring about justice, he would have directed us to a website that would document, and show proof to substantiate his lame and tiresome stories. So far, I have seen no proof that he has been victimized. --68.53.193.212

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:36 PMMessage: Quite simply. Many of Steven's postings were removed because he was spamming the site by continually making references to another website. LL, I also removed one of your posts above and ask that you please do not use profanity on this forum. And I would greatly appreciate your cooperation. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:45 PMMessage: One additional note. I noticed that several individuals attempt to avoid directly using profanity, by placing an * in the middle of the word or spelling a word slightly different. Such a word was removed from a post above. I ask for the cooperation of all visitors that you please avoid any resemblance of using profanity on this forum. Thanks. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Radar[IN])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:56 PMMessage: LL, the Gold Club (cave) hasn't corrupted my thinking as I never frequent that site, as I evidently haven't been given the key yet for whatever reason(s). I was just saying that after months of Mr. Erickson's ramblings, I have never said the first word about it, one way or the other. Personally, I am tired of the ramblings, but will continue to visit this site, and hope that they will end. That's all that I have to say on this subject. I have more to say about spelling and grammar than I do about MR. STEVE'S assumed delemma. --68.53.193.212

RE: Is this a LL site? (by me[us])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 4:23 PMMessage: I do not use my name because Steven has used to say obnoxious things to others on this site.When he signs his name to these paranoid delusions it is easy to pass over the ramblings. But when he uses other peoples names we waste our time reading it until we realize it is him again. I don't understand why he is only being cancelled because he refers to another website?

I agree with Paul that Steven's wierd stories and continual delusions about what things people did to him is harrassing. The man is whacked and should not be permitted to post on this site. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Paul[NY])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 4:44 PMMessage: LL, thats a mighty high horse that you are riding on. Who are you to assume that we have not contributed back to this FREE site? In addition to making purchases from Jeffrey, I also try to reinvest in this site by posting answers when I have them, or offering other suggestions.

What value have you brought to the table?

In addition, I don't remember there being a 2 drink minimum to participate on this site.

If Jeffrey felt the need to charge dues for this site, he would, and most of us would gladly pay.

In my opinion, I suspect Steven(CT) elected to also respect your wishes by sending interested people to the other site to keep abreast of his plight, thereby omitting the long post on your site.

Maybe one of your national talks should be on landlord unity and loyalty to a common cause that will help to acquire and keep one's wealth, you are a much respected speaker across this land and can be very influential in bringing these fledgling lost souls together.

Again my apologies if my provocative approach to awaken these people cause you any problems, I can see it will take a much bigger awaking than I can possibly muster. --64.12.96.135

RE: Is this a LL site? (by CAW[OR])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 7:55 PMMessage: Here's an excellent solution for you LL (VA). Just give SE his $6,000.00 to write his movie script. You will be getting your word out, and he will be too busy to come around and annoy the rest of us with his endless repetitions. 40 tellings of the exact same tale are a bit of over-kill. --216.228.179.140

RE: Is this a LL site? (by MaryC[CT])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 10:32 PMMessage: I still say Steven is wacked and I dont recall hearing about any of this stuff so which leads me to believe that alot of it is in his head. --69.37.51.98

RE: Is this a LL site? (by SAM[OR])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 11:21 PMMessage: I can't think of the name of the Tenants board right off hand, but I read a link to a Tenants' board here awhile back. While browsing through some of the posts, there was a Steven G that was rileing everyone up there causing trouble. Is the Steven G here and there one in the same? --207.109.250.179

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 11:50 PMMessage: While messages have been removed because of the reason I stated above, in fairness to Steven, while recently speaking in Connecticut, I talked with several there and confirmed that Steven is a real person and he indeed faced many of the problems he conveyed. However, the means by which he conveyed those concerns were not done in an appropriate manner on this site. Yet I hope him the best and I don't believe it is neccessary for others to ridicule him not truly knowing what he has faced. I hope he finds effective and appropriate ways to get assistance for his cause. And though I disagree with the way LL (aka other anonymous names) instigates discussions and friction on this site, I do agree that as landlords we do need to work together as much as we can without disrespecting one another. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Joe[PA])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 5:52 AMMessage: Personally, I see a post from Steven and I just skip over it. Way too long and have heard it before. I have never trashed him and I don't know the real story. --209.173.64.138

RE: Is this a LL site? (by LL[VA])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 7:22 AMMessage: Thank you Jeffrey, your class shows through loud and clear, that's why you are in big demand, so when are you going to run for a nation wide landlord UNION (like the teamsters union) landlords across this land will trust you to lead them, think of it..the second coming of Jimmy Hoffa ..this of course is a little tounge in cheek, but on the other hand WHO knows where this could go. you would be the perfect canidate for such an endever.

You have my vote for #1 man of the largest union in the United States..LANDLORDS UNITED --64.12.96.135

RE: Is this a LL site? (by bk[ri])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 7:29 AMMessage: Jeffrey’s words:”… in fairness to Steven, while recently speaking in Connecticut, I talked with several there and confirmed that Steven is a real person and he indeed faced many of the problems he conveyed.” “…I hope him the best and I don't believe it is necessary for others to ridicule him not truly knowing what he has faced. I hope he finds effective and appropriate ways to get assistance for his cause.”

I hope Jeffrey’s words convince the nay sayers, landlords are hoodwinked out of their property on occasion. Jeffrey you had knowledge of the man’s innocence and you let him hang by the neck until dead. It is good that you came forward. Better late than never.

Jeffrey you are like a CEO of a large corporation. Don’t forget your roots. Jeffrey, I’d be willing to wager that you were told by someone important, not to give any credibility to any of Steven’s claims to silence him. If so, what caused you to break ranks?

What is most alarming in your admission, Jeffrey, is that Steven was put in prison losing his property because he was a landlord issues activist not a criminal. Not only has he been punished unfairly by going to prison, he is punished unfairly whenever he tries to inform others of the truth. --134.241.227.244

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 8:19 AMMessage: I just want to make sure all those who read my comments did not read more into it than I stated. I was not confirming all the statements that Steven has made on this site. I was simply letting people know that he has faced many of the challenges that he has expressed. However the reasons that led up to those challenges and the surrounding circumstances that may have contributed to the problem and his innocence or guilt, I have no first hand knowledge. But many have questioned whether this guy and his problems are "real" and I wanted to simply let others know that yes his challenges are real ones. If I receive any further updates, I'll be glad to keep you posted, however this Q & A Forum will not be a place for daily updates, website references or editorial for any one person or cause. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Brad[Mo])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 6:47 PMMessage: Now, let's just tell this Erickson clown to move on. Enough is enough. As a former law enforcement type, I resent his painting of cops in a bad light. Good riddance to this dunderhead --63.187.8.122

Is this a LL site? (by LL[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 2:06 PMMessage: What the hell is going on with this site zapping Steven(CT) ?

This man has done nothing wrong, he has been polite, sincere, and even answered some post intelligently on REPAIRS.

Have we finally got to the point that we don't want to hear what can/could happen to an out spoken individual who doesn't want to play games with city officials, and the best thing one can say is YOU BROUGHT IT ON YOUR SELF..now that is one sad commentary.

Now if all you want to hear is FEEL good testimony, then embrace your politicians they are experts at it, but give very little in the way of substance.

Again I thought this site was about LANDLORDS helping LANDLORDS !!!

WHY IS THIS MAN BEING SILENCED on this site too?

Folks you have nothing to fear BUT FEAR it self, don't be frighten to ask the hardball QUESTIONS. --64.12.96.70

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Joseph[OH])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 2:26 PMMessage: I don't know what happened to Erickson, nor do I speak for anyone else at this site. But the problem, as I alone see it, is that Mr. Erickson continually posted his personal story or several references to it and plugging another website. Ask a question and many times he would have either no or a short response to the original post, then a lengthy commentary about what happened to him regarding corruption in CT and his apparent imprisonment.

You posted:

"Have we finally got to the point that we don't want to hear what can/could happen to an out spoken individual who doesn't want to play games with city officials, and the best thing one can say is YOU BROUGHT IT ON YOUR SELF" No-many just got to the point of not wanting to hear it over and over again when we are not in a position to do anything about it. For most, we are not from CT or anywhere else in the East, we do not vote there and we do not own property there. So our voice there is virtually nil. If Mr. Erickson were this active with his local landlords, perhaps he would have more success and satisfaction. --64.105.217.98

RE: Is this a LL site? (by LL[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 2:44 PMMessage: "No-many just got to the point of not wanting to hear it over and over again when we are not in a position to do anything about it."

That's a piss poor reason, how about just giving the man a little moral support, I don't think that's asking for too much.

I pray I never end up in such a predictiment and have to rely on such disgusting support from fellow landlords, no wonder the politicians give you the BOHICA treatment.

Plato was correct! the older I get the more I understand what he meant by the MASSES are INCURRIBLY ignorant.

Keep up the good fight STEVEN(CT) not all are sidewalk supervisors only offering LIP service.

I would be embarrassed to be associated with such thoughtless landlords, I prefer to sit with people that have a steel rod for a spine, the jelly fish can sit in the park with the pidgeon feeders.

There Steven, I said it for you, you are too much of a gentleman for this left brained bunch. --64.12.96.135

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Radar[IN])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:09 PMMessage: I don't think that LL(VA) and Steven are two of the same. Surely Steven would not have spelled sarcasm as sargassum. Duh...

Steven's problems are between himself and the state of CT or that little po-dunk town, wherever it is in CT. I have watched this garbage go on for a month or two and have said nothing. If Mr. Erickson were serious in his endeavors, to bring about justice, he would have directed us to a website that would document, and show proof to substantiate his lame and tiresome stories. So far, I have seen no proof that he has been victimized. --68.53.193.212

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:36 PMMessage: Quite simply. Many of Steven's postings were removed because he was spamming the site by continually making references to another website. LL, I also removed one of your posts above and ask that you please do not use profanity on this forum. And I would greatly appreciate your cooperation. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:45 PMMessage: One additional note. I noticed that several individuals attempt to avoid directly using profanity, by placing an * in the middle of the word or spelling a word slightly different. Such a word was removed from a post above. I ask for the cooperation of all visitors that you please avoid any resemblance of using profanity on this forum. Thanks. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Radar[IN])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 3:56 PMMessage: LL, the Gold Club (cave) hasn't corrupted my thinking as I never frequent that site, as I evidently haven't been given the key yet for whatever reason(s). I was just saying that after months of Mr. Erickson's ramblings, I have never said the first word about it, one way or the other. Personally, I am tired of the ramblings, but will continue to visit this site, and hope that they will end. That's all that I have to say on this subject. I have more to say about spelling and grammar than I do about MR. STEVE'S assumed delemma. --68.53.193.212

RE: Is this a LL site? (by me[us])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 4:23 PMMessage: I do not use my name because Steven has used to say obnoxious things to others on this site.When he signs his name to these paranoid delusions it is easy to pass over the ramblings. But when he uses other peoples names we waste our time reading it until we realize it is him again. I don't understand why he is only being cancelled because he refers to another website?

I agree with Paul that Steven's wierd stories and continual delusions about what things people did to him is harrassing. The man is whacked and should not be permitted to post on this site. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Paul[NY])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 4:44 PMMessage: LL, thats a mighty high horse that you are riding on. Who are you to assume that we have not contributed back to this FREE site? In addition to making purchases from Jeffrey, I also try to reinvest in this site by posting answers when I have them, or offering other suggestions.

What value have you brought to the table?

In addition, I don't remember there being a 2 drink minimum to participate on this site.

If Jeffrey felt the need to charge dues for this site, he would, and most of us would gladly pay.

In my opinion, I suspect Steven(CT) elected to also respect your wishes by sending interested people to the other site to keep abreast of his plight, thereby omitting the long post on your site.

Maybe one of your national talks should be on landlord unity and loyalty to a common cause that will help to acquire and keep one's wealth, you are a much respected speaker across this land and can be very influential in bringing these fledgling lost souls together.

Again my apologies if my provocative approach to awaken these people cause you any problems, I can see it will take a much bigger awaking than I can possibly muster. --64.12.96.135

RE: Is this a LL site? (by CAW[OR])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 7:55 PMMessage: Here's an excellent solution for you LL (VA). Just give SE his $6,000.00 to write his movie script. You will be getting your word out, and he will be too busy to come around and annoy the rest of us with his endless repetitions. 40 tellings of the exact same tale are a bit of over-kill. --216.228.179.140

RE: Is this a LL site? (by MaryC[CT])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 10:32 PMMessage: I still say Steven is wacked and I dont recall hearing about any of this stuff so which leads me to believe that alot of it is in his head. --69.37.51.98

RE: Is this a LL site? (by SAM[OR])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 11:21 PMMessage: I can't think of the name of the Tenants board right off hand, but I read a link to a Tenants' board here awhile back. While browsing through some of the posts, there was a Steven G that was rileing everyone up there causing trouble. Is the Steven G here and there one in the same? --207.109.250.179

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 19, 2003 11:50 PMMessage: While messages have been removed because of the reason I stated above, in fairness to Steven, while recently speaking in Connecticut, I talked with several there and confirmed that Steven is a real person and he indeed faced many of the problems he conveyed. However, the means by which he conveyed those concerns were not done in an appropriate manner on this site. Yet I hope him the best and I don't believe it is neccessary for others to ridicule him not truly knowing what he has faced. I hope he finds effective and appropriate ways to get assistance for his cause. And though I disagree with the way LL (aka other anonymous names) instigates discussions and friction on this site, I do agree that as landlords we do need to work together as much as we can without disrespecting one another. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Joe[PA])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 5:52 AMMessage: Personally, I see a post from Steven and I just skip over it. Way too long and have heard it before. I have never trashed him and I don't know the real story. --209.173.64.138

RE: Is this a LL site? (by LL[VA])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 7:22 AMMessage: Thank you Jeffrey, your class shows through loud and clear, that's why you are in big demand, so when are you going to run for a nation wide landlord UNION (like the teamsters union) landlords across this land will trust you to lead them, think of it..the second coming of Jimmy Hoffa ..this of course is a little tounge in cheek, but on the other hand WHO knows where this could go. you would be the perfect canidate for such an endever.

You have my vote for #1 man of the largest union in the United States..LANDLORDS UNITED --64.12.96.135

RE: Is this a LL site? (by bk[ri])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 7:29 AMMessage: Jeffrey’s words:”… in fairness to Steven, while recently speaking in Connecticut, I talked with several there and confirmed that Steven is a real person and he indeed faced many of the problems he conveyed.” “…I hope him the best and I don't believe it is necessary for others to ridicule him not truly knowing what he has faced. I hope he finds effective and appropriate ways to get assistance for his cause.”

I hope Jeffrey’s words convince the nay sayers, landlords are hoodwinked out of their property on occasion. Jeffrey you had knowledge of the man’s innocence and you let him hang by the neck until dead. It is good that you came forward. Better late than never.

Jeffrey you are like a CEO of a large corporation. Don’t forget your roots. Jeffrey, I’d be willing to wager that you were told by someone important, not to give any credibility to any of Steven’s claims to silence him. If so, what caused you to break ranks?

What is most alarming in your admission, Jeffrey, is that Steven was put in prison losing his property because he was a landlord issues activist not a criminal. Not only has he been punished unfairly by going to prison, he is punished unfairly whenever he tries to inform others of the truth. --134.241.227.244

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Jeffrey[VA])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 8:19 AMMessage: I just want to make sure all those who read my comments did not read more into it than I stated. I was not confirming all the statements that Steven has made on this site. I was simply letting people know that he has faced many of the challenges that he has expressed. However the reasons that led up to those challenges and the surrounding circumstances that may have contributed to the problem and his innocence or guilt, I have no first hand knowledge. But many have questioned whether this guy and his problems are "real" and I wanted to simply let others know that yes his challenges are real ones. If I receive any further updates, I'll be glad to keep you posted, however this Q & A Forum will not be a place for daily updates, website references or editorial for any one person or cause. --205.188.209.16

RE: Is this a LL site? (by Brad[Mo])Posted on: Nov 20, 2003 6:47 PMMessage: Now, let's just tell this Erickson clown to move on. Enough is enough. As a former law enforcement type, I resent his painting of cops in a bad light. Good riddance to this dunderhead --63.187.8.122

i have personaly meet and talked to steve he is and honest man.he lost more that anyone could imagined.intill it happens to you. You realy cant talk.When i meet him i thought his story was a little far fetch untill it happen to me. People who are low life and live off the system has more say then a person with a job, career, or taxpayer.sincerly Don christmas

Posted by: at December 3, 2003 08:31 PM

i know buddy christmas very well.. enfield police are not exactly alter boys. as for reporting a crime to the enfield police chief i wouldn't bother. reason one. this summer chief ronald marcotte was coming back from the casino in a town owned vehicle on town time and was pulled over by state police for speeding (107 mph) he was almost arrested until he called scott shanley and a deal was worked out(bumpkins). reason 2. he has a serious gambling problem and is never at the police department. he also goes to the casino with an on duty officer as security . his son ron jr has been arrested many times from drugs to robbery and has never been convicted. chief marcotte is just there to collect his retirement and do nothing else. the police captain told me once that there are no bad officers on his force.donny if you need good dirt on any of them call me or email me.

I just want to say that i think that you have a really good wesite..i came across it because the enfield police had assaulted me when i was in there custody and there was nothing i could do about it. when i was there some detective named gadomski had grbed me by the throut and riped my shirt off. the dept said that they would handle it but i havent seen any action.. so what do people like me do? i dont have any money and not that clean off a record so what do we just let them get away with what every they want because were afraid of them arresting use? poeple like me cant really do anything we see corruption firt hand in the courts and the police stations.. we see them chargeing people forcourt appointed attornys?? so were does it say if you cant afford an attorny one will be apointed to you by the goverment for $150.00????? i thought it went it you "CANT" afford one??

Posted by: at May 11, 2004 11:46 AM

Welcome to the club. There are many members and there'll be many more.

America is a Police State, especially in Connecticut.

As far as I am concerned, kids are being taught out and out lies about what this country is really about.

What freedoms do we really have?

Then again, we are the worst country in the world, except for most other ones.

January 13, 2004

A Village: What It Takes

There are many criminals, prostitutes, drug addicts, alcoholics, and those that live as parasites their entire lives. Police and authorities in some downtown areas go after the very few that are hardworking, paying taxes, have property, and./or own a business for whatever revenue that can be had, even confiscating property on the slimmest of excuses. Complain and maybe get harassed or even worse, thrown in prison and/or out of Connecticut. Your State could get this bad �

Enfield PD, Stafford Springs Police, Connecticut State Police and other police in other cities and towns across this nation can contribute to the delinquency of minors, crime, drug/alcohol abuse, sex crimes, blight, misery, fraud, and lower the quality of life by ignoring criminals and crime to go after the easy revenue, from those easiest to fine and to find. In essence, punishing good, moral behavior. �Steven G. Erickson

...

ENFIELD -- This neighborhood's story is a familiar tale of a once-thriving village in a town that grew up on an industry now long gone. Over time, it was allowed to decay - parts of it fell to fire, others fell to urban renewal projects, and the rest just fell from favor.

Thompsonville, once this town's heart, soon grew to be its handicap.

Now, what remains are the variables of a sociological study: a neighborhood that has more people, lower average incomes, higher crime rates and lower rates of home ownership than the rest of town.

But for those who lost hope in Thompsonville - and not everyone did - there is reason for optimism. Old destination businesses continue to thrive along the neighborhood's main retail drag, Pearl Street, and new ones are finding that a good product is a good product, and that consumers will travel to get it.

The trick, neighborhood advocates say, is finding a reason to bring consumers back, convincing people to take a second look and getting those who do come to linger before they leave.

That means a renewed focus on economic development and housing rehabilitation, in addition to a healthy dose of public investment.

"Part of the problem is people who've been in the community a long time look at Thompsonville Village and see it in comparison to what it used to be, and it compares very negatively in their minds," said Town Manager Scott Shanley.

"But I think we need to spend more time looking forward to what the section of town can be now, as opposed to looking at it and seeing what it was back then."

Then there's a little thing called political will, and it's not easy to get, said Mary Lou Strom, a former mayor and one-time head of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

The best way to get people to care, she said, is to focus on their pocketbooks.

"Without revitalization and rehabilitation, all Thompsonville does is add a tax burden to the rest of the town," she said. "The lower the property values, the more the money needs to come from somewhere else.

"I don't think anyone who is looking to revitalize Thompsonville is saying it's going to be the town center again," she said. "But it certainly can be much more than it is now."

The Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Co. opened in the late 1820s and thrived until its mills stopped in 1971. The sprawling, 26-acre facility was an industrial and community center.

Now, just as then, the factory's hulking remains are a vital part of the village's future.

In the late 1980s, the facility was converted into apartment space. Today, the apartments hold roughly 1,000 people, renters who can afford $710 to $1,595 a month. It boasts a 96 percent occupancy rate.

In rebirth, the Bigelow has succeeded; the question is whether the village that grew up around it can follow its lead.

That's what the town asked in 2001, when it commissioned what is commonly known as the Shapiro Report - a consultant's look into the past and future of the neighborhood, prepared by Abeles Phillips Preiss & Shapiro Inc. of New York.

The report was a dose of reality. Thompsonville, once Enfield's center, could never again compete on the retail landscape against the box stores and supermarkets that front many of the town's major commercial roads.

To revive Thompsonville, the report said, was to rethink it.

The report called for targeted investment to attract consumers; homesteading and historic preservation; landscaping and fa�ade improvements; a major project to integrate the riverfront access; and more.

The gist was simple: If you don't give people a reason to come, they won't.

"It took decades for Thompsonville to fall into disrepair, and it will take decades to revitalize the neighborhood," the report cautions.

What advocates are beginning to recognize is that you need money to get money. That is, private investors won't bring their money if there is nothing to attract them. So the town has started on that front.

It is in the middle of an expensive project to dredge and landscape Freshwater Pond, which rests at the heart of the neighborhood. Although the senior center moved out of Thompsonville to a new facility last year, the town is putting a new roof on the old building and hopes to find a use for it. It has improved its boat launch along the river, invested in its youth center and put in pedestrian-friendly streetlights - all in an effort to bring people here.

"I would agree that we want to spur private investment, because there is a limit to what government should do," Shanley said. "Because, in the end, it's the private sector that needs to invest."

And that is starting to happen.

John Pereira could be Thompsonville's poster boy.

Two years ago, he bought one lot with two buildings: a duplex drug haven and old retail space. Now, both are alive again, one as his home and rental unit, the other as his business, TJ's Affordable Mirror and Glass.

"It seemed like this was a community that had fallen by the wayside, but that had some nice potential," he said.

Not only is he invested, he's involved. He joined the town's revitalization committee and is working with town staff to improve his properties.

But Pereira is not the only one looking at Thompsonville with a businessman's eye.

For years, a tailor, a frame and art store, a country goods gift store, a glass shop and, until recently, a cobbler have made Thompsonville their destination-shopping home. There is Diana's, the bakery with regional distribution; Caronna's Market, the third-generation grocery store with a successful package store next door; and Silvia's Restaurant, a newly reopened banquet facility in what was a boarded-up bank.

A handful of new businesses will be setting up shop early this year, taking an old bar and turning it into a gift store, a tattoo parlor and turning into a recording studio, and an old school and turning it into a home for young but growing businesses.

In the not-so-distant old days, Thompsonville had more than two dozen bars and saloons - one of which is now better remembered by its nickname, "Buckets of Blood," than its real name, which no one interviewed could remember. No one is eager for those days to return.

"When you start converting abandoned and derelict churches and tattoo parlors into functioning businesses and close down bars that sold more drugs than booze into a design studio, you're starting to make some progress," said Ray Warren, the town's director of economic development.

There are obstacles to opening new business, though. The regulatory process can include visits from five different inspectors from town and state agencies, as well as the village's separate fire district. That can intimidate and confuse new business owners.

Making money matters worse, Enfield has five independently taxing fire districts. Thompsonville residents - the town's poorest - pay three times as much as residents in some other parts of town for fire service.

"There's no incentive to make anything nice right now, because you have to pay higher taxes," said Jason MacLelland, owner of the Pearl Street Barber Shop across the street from Pereira's lot. MacLelland, who has taken on the role of a neighborhood organizer, left a barber shop with higher visibility to come here. Some customers refused to follow.

But once he got here, more customers came, and he's not hunting heads to cut. And, like Pereira, MacLelland has chosen to get involved first and complain later. Together with the town, he has worked to revamp what was a run-down parking lot. He sweeps his sidewalks. He organizes charity poker games; he goes to planning and zoning meetings; he is speaking out.

"To me, if you make your money here, you give some back," he said.

So it bugs him that he has to pay higher taxes because he chose to move to the most depressed part of town. And even though the tax difference isn't enough to break the bank, he said, it's enough to make a business owner think twice.

The town is also turning its sights on residential rehabilitation, an area where it has admittedly under-performed, Shanley and Warren said.

"That's an area we can and will do a better job on," Shanley said.

Or, as Warren says, "There's no shortage of targets. We need to be more productive to prove to the state and present to them more comprehensive projects."

Finally, the neighborhood needs some good news to counter the decades of bad, said Mary Lavorgna of Caronna's package store.

"I see Thompsonville slowly coming around," said Lavorgna, who is more concerned about Thompsonville's image problem than its crime problem.

Although there is more crime in this neighborhood than elsewhere in town - there are more people here, and drug crimes between acquaintances are common, police said - crime is not limited to this neighborhood, Lavorgna said.

As Shanley was quick to note, there have been a number of homicides in Enfield in recent years; but none of them have been in Thompsonville.

"I'd like to change people's idea," she said. "To change perception, that it's OK to come down to Thompsonville."

Don Christmas of the Thompsonville section of Enfield, Connecticut, spoke out about the lack of protection and services for downtown property owners and proposed Civilian Oversight of police at a town meeting. His arrest, being threatened with prison by police, his alleged being stalked and harassed by police officers is in his opinion for speaking out about unfair taxes/fees, complaining about police, and for proposing legislation that angered police.I did all that too, but I did go to prison, losing my home, family and pets, for testing the 1st Amendment in Connecticut.

i know buddy christmas very well.. enfield police are not exactly alter boys. as for reporting a crime to the enfield police chief i wouldn't bother. reason one. this summer chief ronald marcotte was coming back from the casino in a town owned vehicle on town time and was pulled over by state police for speeding (107 mph) he was almost arrested until he called scott shanley and a deal was worked out(bumpkins). reason 2. he has a serious gambling problem and is never at the police department. he also goes to the casino with an on duty officer as security . his son ron jr has been arrested many times from drugs to robbery and has never been convicted. chief marcotte is just there to collect his retirement and do nothing else. the police captain told me once that there are no bad officers on his force.donny if you need good dirt on any of them call me or email me.

Posted by: jim at February 8, 2004 09:46 PM

______________________(Added February 27, 2004, 7:00AM EST)

What Drug War?

In Stafford Springs, CT, in an area 2 footballs fields or so long on major Rt. 190 (W. Main St) between the town historical fountain to the cannon, drugs are or were openly sold, prostitutes service their customers, teens openly drink, use and sell drugs, assault each other, rob those walking around, and some teens would openly walk into the bars and restaurants and exchange drugs for cash.

With a State Senator�s and Selectman�s office right near the drug activity and sales that was so frequent and blatant, it held up traffic on a major route and side streets. Police and politicians had to know what was going on, in my opinion.

Residents would complain at town meetings and directly to the selectman, State Senator, State Representative, and to Connecticut State Troopers and Stafford Town Police naming names and little to nothing seemed to be done, except in the pursuit of confiscating cash, assets, property, and collecting fines.

Alcoholics would hang out and drug deals could be seen going on openly in front of the Resident State Trooper�s and Stafford Police Station on the same main drag. Calling police and naming names would usually only have the police just telling the dealers and vandals who had called reporting them and where the caller lived. The caller could then be terrorized by the dealers and vandals having his/her vehicles and home wrecked at an even greater rate.

David Hayes openly dealt drugs off the wall at the park in view of politicians and police for possibly over a decade! He would openly walk to where he lived on 99 W. Main St and reach above the picnic table up into a rickety roof structure assembled above it as one of his drug and cash stashes, openly, over and over for years. In my opinion police had to know, as it was so blatant, and obvious, and traffic was being delayed 24 hours during peak periods.

There were overdoses and those dropping dead from overdoing drugs and alcohol. A crack addicted prostitute that lived on the main drag in Stafford claimed she was raped. Maybe her customer did not give her the crack cocaine or cash as promised.

I saw a prostitute allegedly with HIV on her knees servicing a know drug dealer in an alley on W. Main St, while he used a torch to burn something in a glass pipe. Juan was named as the individual that threw a car battery through a window in an apartment at 99 W. Main St, allegedly over a dispute over money and a drug deal. Even though Juan was named to police, the incident may have gone uninvestigated like countless, possibly hundreds or even thousands of others.

I was threatened with arrest by the teens drinking, fighting, and selling drugs off my front yard at 5 Church St. Stafford Springs, Connecticut, if I dared call police on them, and when I called police reporting the drug activity and the teens that had physically threatened me if I interfered with their �business� and how I would be arrested if police, came not them. The State Police dispatcher was rude and argued with me on what words constitute threats and no police officers were sent.

I later called when a man, I named by name, shot up, possibly heroin, openly during the day in front of children in the Summer of 2002, behind 3 Church St, Stafford Springs, CT, and the police officer I called yelled at me and the father of the children for calling. No officer was sent!

What Drug War? It is only about further ripping off honest taxpayers and those that are less than honest that can be fined, charged fees, and have assets and properties confiscated for the bad behavior and illegal acts of criminals that act as informants to the police, in other word revenue collection aids for collecting money and confiscating money and property above and beyond declared taxes.

If police and authorities do little or nothing regarding crime and drugs downtown, more and more taxes can be collected and more and more police and officials can live as parasites off of working Americans, as do their partners in crime, the career criminal parasites. There would not be the rampant drug and alcohol activity on campuses and in the suburbs if it was not so openly allowed in downtown America.

If it about ripping off more of your hard earned money, not about going after criminals and solving social problems.

(Disclaimer: All contained here in is my opinion and to the best of my recollection and knowledge)

I can no longer separate the State of Connecticut from what I learned all the way up through school regarding how bad Socialism, Communism, and Fascist style policing are, as the evils I was taught about seem to exist in real life in Connecticut.

From the Governor Rowland Scandal to my asking the head of the State Police to remove the US Department of Justice webpage, �Community Policing COPS,� from the Connecticut State Police website, citing that the policies were not being followed.

Why should the few hardworking citizens in a downtown area face the most disrespect and scrutiny of law enforcement, and overly harsh and biased treatment in the courts?

If there are only 1 in 20 that actually contribute to the system, why should the highest functioning, productive people face the most punishment: fees, fines, property/asset confiscation, and/or prison (if they get in the way or don�t play ball with the Mafia mimicking authorities) , when many times common criminal parasites can go years without any intervention at all from authorities?

A Connecticut Country line dance bar owner was put in prison for a year and a half as he did not want to be away from his children for nine years or more, allegedly for being in a �cocaine conspiracy�. He claims police wanted to confiscate his bar under the nuisance statute, and all it takes is 3 arrests and a property or business can be confiscated. His father no longer had associations into the Connecticut Liquor Authority and allegedly bribes and favors were no longer being forked over for �protection� so �Peter� allegedly paid the price. Peter may have used drugs, but was a target for his assets as police allegedly set up a drug buy for the 3 arrests, including arresting Peter.

2 cafes in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, were allegedly targetted for confiscation and closure, as those owners were not connected and friends with the then selectman in town. It was alleged that the surviving bar owner and the then selectman did financial deals and other transactions together.

This case and countless others sound fishy to me. If something doesn�t pass the smell test, it is probably �Connecticut Style� corruption and fleecing.

An African American male, claimed he was attacked in his Connecticut home by a Caucasian woman that had entered his home, a woman that he had broken a relationship off with, attacked while he slept on the couch with an iron. She was allegedly on probation and he allegedly has a restraining order against her, so she allegedly just got more probation for felony assault (with a weapon). He was charged with simple assault as there is no right of self-defense in Connecticut, violated his probation, which is easy in Connecticut, and spent a year in prison for allegedly being assaulted in his own home while he slept.

My probation officer in Connecticut, told me she did not like receiving phone calls about me, and would violate me on probation if I did not leave Connecticut in less than 2 hours, including packing, or going back to prison for up to 4 years. I had resisted a robber who beat me from behind in the dark on my Connecticut property as my reason for being railroaded to prison. Police officers allegedly did not want me to lodge complaints against them, make claims that my civil rights were violated, and I was told by my parole officer that if I contacted the media, I would go to prison.

Another man sentenced to prison, drove without a license, one time to many. He was not allowed to return to his wife and children, according to him, as she was a former crime victim of his, as they had a loud argument about a decade previously.

If Connecticut police can threaten and harass those that complain about them and propose laws reducing their �thug powers�, trying to make them act in the public�s best interest, then Connecticut is a Police State. I was threatened by police, told to shut up, and then when I did not, I ended up in prison away from my family and out of all I had worked for my entire life, my home, pets, business, friends/family.

Connecticut authorities are too quick to send citizens that have no business in prison, to prison. Downtown minorities are allowed to commit more and more crimes, especially drug offenses, so they can have their lives ruined permanently, and prison can act as birth control for Connecticut�s unwanted citizens.

Landlords are a target as they, according to a CT public official that I talked to, as landlords attract riffraff, minorities, criminals, and drug dealers as they give the �dregs of society� affordable places to live.

Downtowns can be used to coral unwanted citizens, and limiting , punishing, and fining businesses that cater to these people while taking away their housing can cause the presumed HUMAN GARBAGE to leave the state.

Fast Forward in the plans of some of the Connecticut Blue Bloods, as Connecticut can be all white and suburban, A BLUE BLOOD UTOPIA.

Subject: Governor Rowland, an International Embarrassment(an email sent to all listed at end of comment)

To Whom It May Concern:(please check out the web links below that are for the world to see regarding Connecticut)

I believe there are enablers to allow Governor Rowland to feel comfortable going as far into illegal territory as he did, just as those that allow alcoholics to continue sinking and drinking.

I feel that any investigations of Governor Rowland should also consider who may have been covering for him, maybe the head of the Connecticut State Police, Arthur L. Spada, should be looked into.

Spada allegedly had no problem demoting Connecticut highest ranking policewoman out of his office and out of her high authority, possibly just because of her gender. What type of �Ole Boy Network� did he possibly have, including Governor Rowland? (Put the words �Arthur L. Spada� in a yahoo search engine and get this as #1: http://www.freespeech.com/archives/001440.html )

Is there any collusion with the Judiciary where charges were never filed, squashed, filed away, etc for Rowland and his cronies?

When the highest official in a system is wracked in scandal, there are other private parties and other officials that HAVE to be involved. So there should be more individuals involved and Connecticut should clean house of corruption, thoroughly.

Too many in Connecticut, have been heavily fined, treated harshly, and even imprisoned, sometimes for not having done anything other than being the object of police and official wrath.

I no longer believe that Free Speech, proposing laws to legislators unpopular with the judiciary and police, and being self-employed is legal in Connecticut.

I was terrorized, stalked, publicly threatened, and then beaten from behind in the dark on my own property during a robbery attempt.

When I finally got police to take my complaint a month later and it was discovered that I was the VICTIM, my assailant still wasn�t arrested, and with no previous record I was sentenced to one year in prison, 3 years probation for RESISTING a robbery by an alleged POLICE INFORMANT, charged with 2 misdemeanors.

I had only possibly caused a small bruise after sustaining much more severe injuries myself during the fracas after he jumped out of my bushes and attacked me from behind as I got out of my vehicle after having come home near midnight after a double shift of work.

If Rowland is indicted and found guilty I hope he gets a prison sentence comparable to what an average citizen would get for such high crimes and misdemeanors.

Steven G. EricksonPO Box 730Enfield, CT 06083

P.S. I was in prison during my 20th High School Reunion, during all of the holidays. How much money was spent for the trial I was forced to endure at taxpayers expense. Does it make sense to put someone who worked as hard as I did improving the quality of life for all Connecticut residents in prison for being beaten and nearly robbed on his own property? At my reunion, if I had not been railroaded to prison, I was current on 3 mortgages, and expected to retire, owning the 9 apartments worth about $500,000 retiring on the $6500 plus gross monthly rents.

I was spending money at Connecticut restaurants, shops, paying taxes and was a consumer, homeowner, father. After my Connecticut experience I have nothing and no one and even had to give up my dog!

I WENT to prison after seeing youths commit crimes and assaults for years and years, dealing drugs, openly wreck, rob, and vandalize all hours and what they grow into as adults doing the same thing with little or no punishment.

Feb 10, 2003, Parole officer, Eric Ellison told me I would go to prison if I talked with the media and tried to intimidate me from pursuing his friends, police officers. I was given a choice of leaving Connecticut immediately by Angela K, my probation officer, or going back to prison.

BEFORE I ever got into any trouble, police officers told me to leave Connecticut or else. I didn�t, went to prison, and was STILL ejected out of Connecticut.

I just would like to say that rowland should be on the next 500 inmate list a transfer from office to the next bus to wallens ridge prison . for what hes doing also that spada gut needs to be look at he has alot of dirt, also what about the young kid that was transfer to virginia prison super max and lost his life there ,this kid had no hard core record it was a petty offense , also the commision of human rights are in rowland back pocket and with the warden with all the civil war stuff in prison office and that says alot calling people niggers and boy, stanley young, i red a letter from one of davids tracy family member were the guards were calling him norther scum and a nigger lover, david tracy was born and raised in father panik village .nice kid , i believe he was murdered and it was covered up dr, henry lee covered up for the state , he told the family members david died of a strangulation. when they send david body from virinia the whole inside of the kneck pieces were missing and dr, lee said with out that caint really tell what happen.god bless the young kid its a shame how things work in this world all the police abuse and cover ups by the big people that are running the offices.maybe rowland got a kick back $$$$$$ from transfering the inmates they should really look into him deeper, foreal. he should be locked up. john armstrong conn doc. rowland and stanley young had some kick backs with the conn, inmate transfer, foreal , take care and everybody stay strong and remember we have to stop these so called people that are in offices with are tax dollars stop walking all over us, 1 more thing the pictures of david tracy body i was shown the kid was all bruised up thay beat him to death and covered it up.

http://www.geocities.com/prisonmurder/david_tracy.html this young kid die and i believe the conn, so called people in the offices were getting some kick backs on transfering the conn. inmates to virginia prison conn doc. comm. armstrong was best friends with the people in virginia that ran the prison he stanley young was once a conn, doc worker and they said well if we get the inmates transfer to virginia maybe gov. rowland got a new roof , you never know what there doing see davids web page http://www.geocities.com/prisonmurder/david_tracy.html

Don Christmas of Enfield (Thompsonville section), Connecticut, spoke out at landlord meetings, town hall, had his name in the newspaper complaining about Enfield PD and authorities.

He was part of a splinter group of Connecticut Property owners that were looking to sue the PD and Connecticut authorities.

Word got out and each of that group was individually targetted, including the poster here on Free Speech that is accused of being the ringleader of the front to sue for landlord rights. He was the one writing letters and most politically active, writing politicians, meeting at Enfield Town Hall, as part of the Enfield Property Owners Association. He was put in prison and kicked out of Connecticut by police, but is back to start trouble, again, getting police and authorities up in arms, as they are worrying about getting sued and others joining Erickson's cause.

Don then got arrested for being attacked on his property and his attacker faced no punishment. The only offer Don got at the Enfield Court was to plead guilty and go to jail for a year losing his family, 2 kids, wife and all that he has worked for.

Hundreds and hundreds of letters were sent from all over the country to the Enfield Court. The charges were supposed to be dropped. That was what Don was promised. The prosecutor gave Don a contract to sign saying he would not sue the Enfield PD, but Don refused to sign and now is back in trouble for doing nothing wrong.

When Donny decided he would sue for false arrest and for his civil rights, then for some reason his charges were un-dropped, and now he faces police harassment and intimidation. They follow Don around, pull him over, and tell him to shut up and threaten him.

Enfield PD came to his house to try and confiscate Don's computer without a warrant to see if they could somehow nail Don and to see who Don is associated with, is the opinion of those that know about the situation.

Enfield Police Officers allegedly went to see the owner at the Enfield used car dealer where Don Christmas worked and told the owner to fire Don. The owner complied, and Don WAS fired.

Don is afraid to associate with his landlord friends and to tell anyone what is happening. He is scared of going to prison and losing everything. Try Free Speech in Connecticut and then go to prison.

Does this sound like America?

If 100's of letters were not sent to the court, Don would already be in prison. This is so unbelievable and unjust, more of the public should show outrage.

There has been too much police being able to do what they want, when they want, serious crimes.

Law enforcers should not come off as an armed gang of hoodlums threatening honest, working people on their whims.

Why should anyone come in from another State and invest in a business or property in Connecticut?

Why should those being harassed by police in Connecticut and taxed TO DEATH stay in Connecticut?

Donald asked us not to say anything to anyone, especially newspapers. Don would be in prison if it was not for our efforts.

Posted by: at January 21, 2004 10:02 PM

From Hartford Courant News Briefs January 21, 2004:

NEW BRITAIN - Nine city residents were arrested Sunday night after an argument between a landlord and a tenant on Westerly Street erupted into a street brawl.

One of eight men involved in the fight was taken to the hospital with a leg injury. The man claimed he was stabbed, but police did not recover a knife from the scene. Others sustained minor injuries.

A witness who was not involved in the fight told police that Janet Ortiz, 26, of 11 Westerly St., and her landlord, Webster Lewis, 47, of 30 Yeaton St., began arguing about whether Ortiz had too many visitors' cars parked in the driveway of the apartment house, the police report states.

Ortiz left the fight, the police report says, and returned a short time later with her brother, John Ortiz, and a group of men who began hitting and punching Webster Lewis.

John Ortiz, the report said, swung an expandable baton at Lewis. Lewis' sons, Fitzroy and Stephen, then swung a snow shovel at their father's attackers, the report said. Police also recovered a pipe bender and two baseball bats.

It is usually just the landlord arrested or charged after being attacked and/or beaten up. Tenants can often threaten landlords with making false reports against them if they face eviction. Female tenants often make accusations of sexual assault and harassment when there is no basis other than revenge.

Malicious criminals are getting property owner arrested, even put in prison, and in too many cases causing the unfortunate individual to lose his/her home and all that he/she ever worked for.

When landlords lose their property there is less affordable housing options and rents go up as the supply dwindles.

Blue Blood leaders in towns may think it is a good way to get rid of minorities and others they consider riffraff by squeezing landlords out of business, sometimes to prison, and out of Connecticut.

I was arrested and went to prison for being a robbery victim forced to defend myself. As police seem to rather arrest a landlord than arrest the derelicts that are criminal parasites.

Police often blame landlords for any occurrences on their property beyond their control and are more than glad to arrest a landlord on the slimmest excuse, especially in Connecticut.

Landlords, no matter what race or sex they are can empathize with those minorities that were targeted by police for unreasonable, unwarranted arrest, refusal to protect and serve, being beaten, harassed, see false police reports filed, kept from having a quality of life, having their families broken up, financially ruined, falsely imprisoned etc that was common during the women�s fight to be able to vote and for the rights of minorities during that era.

Donald Christmas got attacked on his own property in the Thompsonville section of Enfield Connecticut.

Enfield PD officers allegedly have been following him around, allegedly got his boss at an Enfield used car dealer to fire Don, told him to keep his big mouth shut, and allegedly have either hired private investigators or are doing investigations to further harass Don and keeping him from suing by finding anything they can, with or without basis, allegedly to silence Don.

An Enfield Police Officer allegedly started dating a 16 year old girl that was involved in the retaliation against Don for allegedly giving bad, �nightmare� tenants a bad recommendation.

A female Enfield landlord had her tooth punched out, had blood streaming down from her mouth, and was charged with Breach of Peace while holding her tooth when the police arrived.

Another female landlord called Enfield PD about problem tenants and was told by police they would not do anything, but a male police officer allegedly put the make on her asking for a date.

Posted by: at January 25, 2004 11:54 PM

More on Donald Christmas:

Enfield Police, Connecticut It is no pleasure to report that the town I live in has significant problems with false arrest. Recently false charges were dropped on an arrest made by Detective Cooper.

A tenant took revenge on her landlord by bringing fabricated charges in a dispute over a rental issue. We are also hearing complaints of Officer Veegan making false arrests of property owners. This internationally accredited police agency has leadership issues that have destroyed trust with the property owners to the point of creating a real concern in calling for police services; the significant risk of false arrest of rental property owners caused by drug dealing and deadbeat tenants.

The Police Steering Committee which was founded to build good community relations has eroded to the point where police officers openly verbally harass and slander a falsely arrested property owner in the meeting hall; the police officer was told to quiet down by the chair.

Landlords in Enfield be advised that the cops might not protect you but take the side of the bad guy. There are a number of well trained and professional officers in this department that do a very good job, and suffer under the lack of leadership by Chief Ronald Marcotte and others.

During recent cases the State�s Attorney, Town Manager Scott Shanley and police administration stone walled an innocent victim of false arrest and attempted to bully this individual into pleading guilty, without success.

This ministry and others did what could be done to get the word out. This ministry was �ordered� by the CT State�s Attorney and local town officials to cease it�s protest activity, including this web site coverage, or the innocent man would face jail. They are still attempting to take back their �deal� because of the publicity this and other sites have brought them, including over one thousand calls and emails to town officials.

You can make your voice heard by sending email to at sshanley@enfield.org or call Chief Ronald Marcotte at 860-763-8915 or send FAX to 860-763-6424.

An innocent man needs your help. The CT ACLU is involved as well. Thanks in advance for your help! In January 2004 one of their dispatchers, Mark McClure pleaded guilty to pedophilia with boys, and was sentenced to one year in prison. Mr. McClure was also a firefighter in Thompsonville.

This is not the first dispatcher to get in trouble with the law. Another was arrested in Massachusetts for having an unregistered gun during a barroom fight. Both the town police and fire departments were recently featured on a cover story in The Hartford Courant for their relentless and deadly gossip that all but destroyed the good name of a woman who recently lost her military husband in Iraq.

Enfield is another Peyton Place. In the past this police department has weathered scandals of police brutality and a false arrest over walking a dog in which an innocent citizen was beaten up; the town paid six figures. It looks like history is repeating itself.

Enfield Police are also facing a lawsuit brought by a former local motel worker, arrested on charges of theft; the charges were dropped but the woman lost her job while trying to support her children and go to college.

One former officer, Frank Vincenzo was arrested and plead to grand theft charges, losing his job.

Local police here have hit the wrong houses on more than one occasion while serving warrants. I have been warned my involvement in community activism to drive out drug dealers, deadbeat tenants and rogue police officers will make me a possible target by the local police.

That would be a really bad idea as I can and will bring legal action to defend myself and hold anyone to task for violating my civil rights. Some things need to change in this town as there are skeletons still in closets. More than a few local officials here would not stand up well to a public examination of their private lives.

City life would be much better if those that are improving life aren't taxed out their incomes, beaten, and put in prison as is more and more the case. Corporations are censoring us, fleecing us, and wrecking America. Politicians used to break up monopolies and at least pretend they were for the people.

It is now more than obvious the politicians are out for themselves and furthering the interests of their friends in the corporate world.

Posted by: Time to Wake Up at February 29, 2004 10:49 AM

Cops are more after me going to and from work for traffic fines than the guys selling drugs on the corner. They go after those that have the money, not those that are doing crimes.